The annual Rainbow Gathering is temporary camping village with thousands of hippies of all ages celebrating Peace and Love (and smoking a lot of pot!) during one week in a remote site on some public land.­ It takes place at a different location every year.­

All night long, participants gather around large bonfires and dance at the sound of tribal drums.­

Unlike Burning Man, this event is totally free and not organized.­ Free food is served by community kitchens (donations are accepted).­ There is no organization, no program, no rules (except Peace and Love), and no commercial activity.­

Those are the best of the photos I took during 3 days (and 2 nights) at the 2004 Rainbow Gathering (my first) in the beautiful Modoc National Forest in Northern California, during the 4th of July 2004 week-end.­

Those photos don't give a really good idea of what this event is about, but it's a glimpse of what I saw there.­

If this looks interesting and if you feel hippy enough, then you should go to one of those, it's a unique experience, and a chance to meet many very cool people!